Why we’re building the Decentralization Research Center.
An Equitable Tomorrow:
Building a Decentralized Future.
About Us
The Decentralization Research Center (DRC) is a 501(c)(4) social welfare non-profit that advocates for decentralization as a fundamental characteristic of emerging technologies. This includes the development of blockchain protocols and applications that are immutable, censorship resistant, transparent, secure, and enable data self-sovereignty.
We find ourselves at a unique moment in history. Recent developments in technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing have the potential to make them some of the most impactful achievements of our time. However, while fostering progress, these technologies have the potential for severe unintended consequences, including a concentration of power and wealth among the elite, the marginalization of diverse voices, and potentially destabilizing impacts on democracy. To create a more equitable future, we must ensure that the next wave of innovation is underpinned by principles of broad participation, fair reward distribution, and decentralized control. The DRC stands committed to working with industry, academia, and policymakers to help shape this future.
We seek to foster cooperation between the scholars, students, technologists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs who recognize the need for a more inclusive approach to the development of these technologies. Although many stakeholders are already generating research, running courses, and launching ventures that explore a more equitable path forward, much of their work remains siloed and disconnected.
The DRC’s mandate is to bridge that gap and create opportunities for innovators to collaborate, gain momentum, and guide the ownership, governance, and regulation of emerging technologies towards decentralization. We accomplish this by:
- Providing a trusted gateway for research-backed findings about decentralized technologies
- Hosting intimate events with stakeholders in collaboration with academic institutions, such as our recent events at the Harvard Kennedy School and Stanford Center for Blockchain Research, as well as our upcoming events at the University of Toronto and the University of Tokyo
- Drafting, funding, and curating educational resources on decentralized technologies
- Acting as a hub for communication between stakeholders and the media
Our History
The DRC was formed in 2021 to focus on decentralized systems and the organizations and applications built upon them, known as DAOs. As more disruptive technologies became integrated into mainstream society, our mission quickly expanded to include a broader focus on decentralized technologies that have become an extension of our everyday lives. We have made strong headway by collaborating with leading institutions, like Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Toronto, and the University of Tokyo, to host curated gatherings with leading academics, policymakers, and industry representatives. In addition, we created the foremost digital decentralization research library — a free resource to help educate the public about the topic of decentralization and its impact on our society.
Here is a timeline of our growth and work to date:
June 2021 — We co-host our first event, the Virtual DAO Summit, with the Stanford Center for Blockchain Research.
August 2021 — We begin funding, drafting, and publishing research focused on decentralization, which is organized in our decentralization research library. It is a public good that is freely available for all to use.
August 2022 — We co-host our first live summit, at Stanford University, with the Stanford Center for Blockchain Research, bringing together academics and industry to discuss challenges and solutions for organizations pursuing decentralization.
September 2022 — We begin publishing primers for decentralized organizations, including those focused on the concept of decentralization, governance, advocacy, and legal entity formation.
April 2023 — We co-host our second live summit, at Harvard University, with the Harvard Belfer Center and Safra Center for Ethics, bringing together academics, industry, and policymakers.
August 2023 — We host our third annual summit with Stanford University, which is focused on how decentralized tooling can be used by centralized institutions, bringing together academics, regulators, and industry leaders.
November 2023 — We co-host Canadian Emerging Tech & Policy Summit, uniting over 60 policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to delve into the future of technology and policy in Canada.
February 2024 — We co-host DAO UTokyo, bringing together practitioners, policymakers, and academics to engage in conversation regarding the research, legal, and policy considerations of DAOs as well as the greater Web3 space in the Asia-Pacific.
June 2024 — We host the first annual Equitable Tech Summit, bringing together 100 leading academics, industry experts, and regulators to build relationships and find alignment on what decisions and technological designs we must make today to ensure revolutionary technologies, like A.I. and Blockchain, are equitably owned and governed.
Future events — We are currently planning our 2025 calendar and will be excited to announce additional events soon. As of now, the only confirmed event is the second annual Equitable Tech Summit, planned for April 2025, which will build on the momentum from the inaugural summit in 2024.
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